Alan Kelly
Question:744. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that are currently operating the Da Vinci surgical system; and if there are plans to expand the robotics programme in hospitals. [15485/23]
View answerHospital Equipment
Questions (744)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (745)
Alan Kelly
Question:745. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant transplant surgeons based at each hospital that is part of the South, South-West Hospital Group in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [15486/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Questions (746)
Alan Kelly
Question:746. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeons based at University Hospital Limerick in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [15487/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (747)
Alan Kelly
Question:747. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that currently have a helipad within their grounds and that is in use, in tabular form. [15488/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (748)
Alan Kelly
Question:748. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant psychiatrists based in each primary care centre within CHOs 3 and 5 in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [15489/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (749)
Alan Kelly
Question:749. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he visited The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto during his recent visit to Canada for St. Patrick’s Day events. [15490/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Canada is deep and mutually beneficial, based on historical ties and shared values. St. Patrick’s Day provides an invaluable opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests and to deepen further the political, economic and cultural links between Ireland and Canada.
My recent visit there as part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme included a wide variety of engagements in Ottawa and Toronto. While I did not have an opportunity to visit the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto on this occasion, I did visit the Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa.
Among other programme elements, I met with senior management and faculty at the University of Ottawa to discuss their new Advanced Medical Research Centre, and advances in medical research. While in Toronto I met with Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health for the Province of Ontario for a substantive and broad ranging discussion. I also met with experts in Cybersecurity in healthcare.
Departmental Records
Questions (750)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:750. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to provide public access to the Land Commission records that are held in storage in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15223/23]
View answerWritten answers
There are no immediate plans to provide general public access to the Land Commission records that are held in Portlaoise. Given the age and fragility of these paper records it would not be appropriate at this time to grant members of the public access to the records as the records would likely suffer damage as a result of more frequent handling.
My officials are planning to digitise the search aids used by staff to find documents within the repository and in due course the digitised search aids may be made available to the public online.
In the meantime, Records Branch staff continues to provide copy documents and maps to those individuals who qualify under the Land Purchase Act Rules. For the most part those documents are required to clarify legal issues on title.
Additionally, pursuant to section 42 of the Data Protection Act 2018, www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/act/7/section/42/enacted/en/html#sec42 which permits access to personal data for the purpose of processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes, the Department has been trialling providing access to the records on a case by case basis to academics undertaking research projects in the public interest.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (751)
Joe Flaherty
Question:751. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any concerns about the loss of revenue incurred by Rásaíocht Con Éireann arising from the fact that an organisation (details supplied) maintains control of the stud book for racing greyhounds, a loss of revenue estimated to be around €1 million a year; if he has any plans to introduce the legislation necessary to allow Rásaíocht Con Éireann set up its own dedicated stud book, as promised in its Strategic Plan 2018-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14648/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
RCÉ has informed this Department that the requirements of Rásaíocht Con Éireann maintaining a Racing Stud Book have been superseded by the development and roll out of the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS) which captures all relevant information (in real time) currently recorded in the Irish Greyhound Stud Book in addition to a raft of additional information appropriate to tracing the movements, location and key life events of greyhounds in Ireland.
I therefore have no plans to introduce such legislation.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (752)
Joe Flaherty
Question:752. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhound care homes with a dedicated, unique visitor room funded by Rásaíocht Con Éireann that are currently in operation; the total capacity of such care homes; the location of these care homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14649/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Fishing Industry
Questions (753)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:753. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a written statement with an update on his plans to ban fishing vessels of a certain size from fishing within the Irish 6nm limit. [14653/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, in December 2018, following a public consultation process, the Minister announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years was allowed for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures.
A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy. On 6th October 2020, the High Court held in summary that the Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on July 19th , 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it required further submissions from both parties.
As the Deputy is also aware, the Court of Appeal issued a final judgment on 10th March last, stating that the applicant fishers were successful on ‘the narrowest of grounds’.
I am currently consulting with legal advisors to consider the implications of the judgment and the possible next steps.
Fishing Industry
Questions (754)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:754. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the following super trawlers (details supplied) all owned by the Dutch corporation, have recently been fishing in the Irish EEZ with quota allocated under the Common Fisheries Policy; the amount of pelagic quota that these vessels have been allocated both within the Irish EEZ and throughout the waters across Europe, under the jurisdiction of the Common Fisheries Policy. [14654/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. Under this policy, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. Fishing vessels, irrespective of size, must comply with the rules of the CFP, including rules on access and catch limits/quota.
In relation to access to Irish coastal waters, all foreign fishing vessels, on the north-west coast, are excluded from Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone, other than for transit purposes. All foreign pelagic fishing vessels are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone on the west coast. Irish fishing vessels greater than or equal to 36.58m (120 feet) in length are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile zone.
Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.
The details of the stocks for which Ireland and other Member States have quota in the relevant management areas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year. It is a matter for each Member State to decide how its national quota is allocated to vessels in its fleet. My Department does not have access to the individual quota allocations of non-Irish vessels.
Ireland's control authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service, are responsible for the monitoring and control of fishing vessels, including large fishing vessels targeting pelagic stocks, in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone to ensure compliance with the rules of the CFP. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the SFPA and the Naval Service and I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
Official Engagements
Questions (755)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:755. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols or criteria required for him to meet with stakeholder groups within the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14682/23]
View answerWritten answers
I have always operated an open-door policy when it comes to meeting with bodies and groups in the agriculture sector. All requests to meet stakeholders are reviewed on their individual merits.
For representative organisations, my office normally likes to see that the group is on a solid footing and has a track record of longevity with records of its past AGMs, an organisation charter and record of is membership.
In meeting these criteria it shows that the group is stable and not splitting the voice of the sector which they hope to represent.
Engagement with the various stakeholders is an important facet of my Ministry. I also put a strong importance on direct engagement with farmers and communities.
I have engaged directly with farmers around the country as part of by CSP engagement meetings last year and this year I am visiting the various counties as part of my Working for Rural Ireland tour.
Forestry Sector
Questions (756)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:756. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department are accepting forestry form two applications which are now vital in keeping private forestry companies viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14683/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received, processed, and paid Form 2 applications for works completed under the 2014-2022 forestry programme. To March 22nd 2023 a total of €41,455,421 was expended from the forestry budget including €2.4 million on first grant (form 2) payments.
I can also confirm that system development work has been ongoing and is completed for submission of form twos under the Interim Afforestation and Road schemes and is currently being user tested. I expect this to be live for submission of Form twos under these schemes on Wednesday 29th March.
Forestry Sector
Questions (757)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:757. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the planting of any trees on Bord Na Móna peat lands will continue in the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/23]
View answerWritten answers
In October 2019, Coillte and Bord na Móna announced a new initiative to plant approximately 4 million native trees across 1,500 hectares of Bord na Móna land that is no longer used for peat production.
Bord na Móna formally ended all peat harvesting on its lands by the end of 2019. As a result of this cessation in peat harvesting, industrial cutover peatlands are becoming increasingly available for other land use options, including opportunities for the restoration of native woodland habitats.
Further to a request for support for exploration of possibilities for native woodland creation on former industrial cutaway peatlands by Bord na Móna, my Department developed a Pilot Scheme that is intended to facilitate the establishment of new native woodlands on state owned former industrial cutover peatlands on a pilot basis.
This Pilot Scheme facilitates native woodland regeneration at landscape scale, on some 203 ha in and around the Littleton Bog complex which straddles the Tipperary and Kilkenny county boundaries, aiming at minimum intervention, and is compatible with other forms of peatland restoration measures at this scale.
The overall purpose of the Pilot Scheme is to support biodiversity, help reduce carbon emissions and stabilise soils to minimise soil erosion. These objectives are therefore different to the objectives of the Afforestation Scheme. Grant funding for native woodlands created under this Pilot Scheme is subject to the applicant obtaining a licence for afforestation from the Minister.
The Pilot Scheme aims at mimicking natural vegetation establishment processes in high, dry areas and on slopes that are not suitable for re-wetting. Bord na Móna intends to complement their rehabilitation plans for end-of-life cutaway bogs by creating a mosaic of wetlands and sparse woodlands that enhances biodiversity value, stabilises the loose peatland soil and reduces carbon losses. No project like this has been undertaken before and the Pilot therefore includes the establishment of trials to explore the most effective silvicultural techniques.
The Pilot Scheme was developed in accordance with provisions of the Forestry Act 2014 and is compliant with national and EU legislation, operational and environmental guidelines. It has been proposed to continue to offer this Pilot through the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 subject to State Aid approval. Following the specific purpose of this Pilot Scheme, the Scheme is confined to State bodies who own former industrial cutaway peatlands.
Public Procurement Contracts
Questions (758)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:758. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of all procurement competitions, if any, in which companies (details supplied) won contracts from his Department since 2016. [14717/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not award any contracts through procurement competitions to companies (details supplied) since 2016.
Official Travel
Questions (759)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:759. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with his recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at his Department, for St Patrick’s Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying him, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14735/23]
View answer
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
The 2023 St Patrick's Day programme saw the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to promote Irish trade and meet business leaders, to engage with our political counterparts and to meet the Irish diaspora in different locations around the globe. As part of this St Patrick’s Day programme, I travelled to New Zealand from 11th March until 18th March. I carried out a wide-ranging programme of community, business and political engagements in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.
I had multiple engagements with members of the Irish business community in all three cities.
I had meetings on areas of shared research interests with stakeholders that my department has collaborated with.
In Auckland I was privileged to be the representative in the ceremonial handover of naval vessel to the Irish state.
I had several farm visits at locations around the country and gained insight to the shared challenges and opportunities that New Zealand farmers share with their Irish counterparts.
I also had the opportunity to engage directly with several Ministers and MPs while in Wellington where matters of shared concern and interest were discussed in face to face meetings.
Possibly most important I was able to meet with the community groups that support and bring together the Irish diaspora in New Zealand.
The delegation consisted of myself, the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, my Special Advisor and my Private Secretary.
Total costs are out line below.
|
Minister McConalogue, advisors and staff Air Travel (International flights) |
€27,028.23 |
|
Minister McConalogue, advisors and staff Air Travel (Domestic flights) |
€2,613.17 |
|
Car Hire |
€2,182.12 |
|
Taxi |
€53.69 |
|
Accommodation |
€6,654.19 |
|
Gifts given |
€204.90 |
|
Due to the delayed departure from Dublin Airport some flights in New Zealand needed to be rebooked at short notice at a cost of €743.73. This is included in the €2,613.17 total |
Written answers
I thank the deputy for the question however we are awaiting the final costs to be submitted from the embassies of the various countries that my Ministers of State and I visited as part of the 2023 St Patrick's Day travel. The Embassies arranged accommodation and internal travel which is then billed to the Department.
Once the final costs are in I will forward the material to you.